Secondary succession occurs when succession starts on existing soil following the upheaval of a pre-existing ecosystem

This upheaval results in the removal of existing biota and allows a new ecosystem to develop on the site of the old

Because the soil is already developed, dominance is usually achieved by the fastest growing plants

An environmental disturbance, such as a bushfire or earthquake, destroys the pre-existing climax community

Grasses and herbaceous plants are the first to grow back as the soil is already present (no pioneer species required)

Fast growing trees will develop to their fullest, while shade tolerant trees will develop in the understory

Eventually the fast-growing trees may be overtaken by larger, slower-growing trees as the ecosystem reverts to its prior state

Less trees means there is less evapotranspiration, meaning there is less moisture in the air (less precipitation)

Fewer trees means less litter (due to less defoliation), which reduces the production of humus (so less nutrients in soil)

There will be a rapid loss of nutrients from leaching, but less chemical weathering of rock (due to less water in soil)

The soil will become acidic and release iron and aluminium to form an infertile ferrilitic soil (nutrient poor)

The soil layer will become increasingly thin and easily eroded once the trees have been cleared

The infertile soil will prevent vegetative growth, reducing biodiversity and further nutrient cycling

Logging operations may also alter the distribution of plant species by removing the canopy and increasing light exposure

Removal of the canopy also results in an increased loss of nutrients from the soil via runoff